Farnborough-based BAE Systems has announced a strategic partnership with other defence companies to bid for the Ministry of Defence Challenger 2 Life Extension Project.

As announced in the 2015 Strategic Defence & Security Review, Challenger 2 will form a key part of the army’s capability through to 2035. In order to achieve this, several key systems will need to be replaced. BAE Systems designed and built the original Challenger 2 tank.

BAE Systems is joined in Team Challenger 2 by key players in the defence industry: General Dynamics Land Systems-UK, General Dynamics Mission Systems-International, Leonardo-Finmeccanica, Moog, Qinetiq and Safran Electronics.

Jennifer Osbaldestin, managing director of BAE Systems Land (UK), said “We have taken an innovative approach in ‘teaming’ for this bid, to enable the best and most experienced partners to develop and deliver a winning solution.”